[DeTomaso] Hot air

[forestg at att.net]

Chris,
The squealing is not caused by the temperature but is the result of a high charge rate at the alternator replacing the power used to start the engine. You just need to tighten the alternator belt a bit. I have the same problem because I drive the alternator off the AC compressor so that both units load the belt that drives the compressor. I have been able to tighten the belt enough to stop this from happening.
Forest

-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Christopher Kimball <chrisvkimball at msn.com>
>
> 
> Dear Mike,
> 
> I think you wrote that email just so you could use that last, great punch line!
> 
> Actually, I'm not installing the fans to cool the engine, since the radiator's 
> in the front I already installed an extra fan there!
> 
> The reason I'm putting fans in the deck is to help cool the engine bay when 
> sitting in traffic.  I'm not putting radiator fans back there, so the current 
> draw shouldn't be significant, but I just know most components break down faster 
> if subjected to high heat, so if I can lower the ambient temperature in the 
> engine bay, it should be beneficial (in theory).
> 
> I did find out the heat goes from bottom to top, so they'll vent out the top.
> 
> Currently, when the car has been sitting after a drive (allowing the engine bay 
> to bask in its own heat for a few minutes), when I start off again, I hear that 
> ominous squeal from the alternator/AC belt, but it stops if I depress the clutch 
> pedal and lower the RPMs.  As you recall, this summer the belt burned in half 
> amidst much smoke and squealing for no apparent reason.  I didn't know what the 
> noise and smoke meant until I took it to the shop and they charged me $250 to 
> replace the belt.  I figured it was a clutch-related thing since it seemed to 
> stop when the clutch was depressed.  They said it looked as if something had 
> gotten stuck in the belt and cause it to lock up and burn in half.  I took the 
> car out tonight (very cold temperatures) and the same squeal started after we 
> drove about 3/4 hour, parked it for about 10 minutes, then started home again.  
> Once we drove for a few blocks, the squeal disappeared.
> 
> Since it only seems to happen when things are hot, I'm wondering if the heat 
> down there is affecting the belt adversely.  Or maybe I bent the alternator 
> bracket when we were putting the motor back in (remember, I have the flat 
> firewall attachment and the alternator pulley was rubbing on the firewall at 
> first, I had to use a crowbar to push the firewall in a bit to alleviate the 
> problem).  The shop said things looked fine when they replaced the belt.
> 
> Finally, just think about how cool it would be to take the car to the beach and 
> be able to roast marshmallows over the warm, cheery engine-bay-cover fans...!
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> Chris
> #3846
> 
> PS:  I'm currently also trying to rebuild my leaky heater on/off valve, so I'm 
> doing legitimate projects, too!
> 
> From: MikeLDrew at aol.com
> Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:51:17 -0500
> Subject: Re: Hot air
> To: chrisvkimball at msn.com; jmontero at fcmat.org; detomaso at realbig.com
> 
> 
> 
> In a message dated 12/17/07 17 43 7, chrisvkimball at msn.com writes:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I'm going to add an electric fan to each side to more effectively vent the hot 
> air out of the engine bay, too.  So far I've formed the aluminum supports and 
> fiberglassed the basic form--more this weekend.
> 
> 
> 
> If it turns out alright, I'll send pictures to the forum.  If it turns out 
> really bad, you won't hear it mentioned again...!
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Chris,
> 
> 
> 
> I'm sure the fans might be effective, but they won't accomplish anything 
> meaningful.   The ambient air temperature and airflow in the engine bay has zero 
> effect on the engine's ability to run cool.   However, the additional electrical 
> load of the electric fans will make the alternator work harder, which in turn 
> will marginally drive engine temperature up!
> 
> 
> 
> The airflow in the engine bay goes from bottom to top, by the way, exiting out 
> from the decklid opening.   A fair bit of heat is also extracted into the rear 
> wheelwells.   Adding fans will simply create a bit of a warm breeze when the car 
> is standing still, so you can stand next to your car and warm your hands a bit, 
> but otherwise will have no beneficial effect whatsoever.
> 
> 
> 
> I know it's cold, dark and rainy up there right now, but I would urge you to 
> devote your time to a project that is more productive.   You are literally 
> blowing hot air with this one. :>)
> 
> 
> 
> Mike
> 
> 
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